Fence post



Sept. 20, 1927.

H. L. THOMAS r'nficsrosw Filed Sept. 29, 1925 Patented Sept. 20, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE."

FENCE POST.

Application filed September 29, 1925. Serial No. 59,807.

This invention relates to improvements in fence posts and has for its prime ob ect to provide a device of this character adapted to readily engage and support m position a wire fence or the like.

I Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a fence post of durable yet comparatively simple construction designed to permit convenient attachment of fence structures of various types.

Another object of the invention is the provision ofa fence supporting post" whlch may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying-drawing formin a part of this specification and in which Eke numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is afront elevation'of a fence post constructed in accordance with my invention shown in operative position.

' Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the'line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

, Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the supporting elements.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 generally designates the body of my improved post, this body being of channel formation or U- shape in cross section soas to provide a transverseback plate 11 and a flanges 12 are cut away in angular'forma-- pair of arallel side plates or flanges 12; As will lie readily seen with reference to Figures '1 and 2, the lower portion of the transverse back plate 11 is of ta ered formation at the lower end to provi e a driving point 13 adapted to normally extend into the ground for supporting the post. The lower extremities of the side plates or tion, as at 14, and terminate substantially above the lower extremity of the back plate so as to facilitate the operation of drlving the post into theground. In order to properly engage a fence and retain same in a vertical position, the post is provided with suitable engaging means comprising, in the present instance, a plurality of V-sha ed notches 15 formed in the outer longitudinal edges of the flanges 12, these notches being necessity for firmly the to accommodate the common forms of fence strands. v p

Due to 'the substantial weight of the conventional type of fence construction and the retaining the posts in upright position, it is considered advisable to equip the posts with suitable bracing means embodymg, in the resent instance, a

transversely extending p ate 16 firmly securedto the transverse back plate 11 by boltsor rivets in a slightly elevated position relative to the point of the 0st, this plate being preferabl cut at an o tuse angle at its lower exten ing edges, as at 17, to enable sam'eto be conveniently mounted in position in the ground. This plate is providedat its upper edge adjacent the side plate of the 0st with a vertical slot, not shown, exten in to the longitudinal center line of the plate or engagement with a complementar brace plate 18 having a central vertical s 0t .19 engageable' therewith for convenient connection of these members.

In assembled position, it will be obvious with reference to Figures 1 and 4, that the brace plates 16 and 18 intersect so as to form a substantial bracing foundation for the post. This structure will serve to materially strengthen the vertical position of the posts and reduce the possibility of the posts ein torn down by the ence or by the elements. The foregoing construction comprising the channel shape (post 10 and. brace .plates is preferably forme of light metal convenient transportation and erection.

As is readil apparent from 1 of the drawing, the transverse back p ate 11 of t structure is provided with a pair of circular openings or apertures 20,; one such opening being formed adjacent the upper extremity of the plate and another in the lower portion immediately above the ground line of the. post. These openings are arranged for receiving an engagin portion bent at right angles at the upper excessive weight upon so as to permit of extremity to provide a securing arm 22, the

end of this arm being externally screw threaded, 'the purpose 0 lower extremity of the secur ng member 21 is bent inwardly to provide an offset substantially parallel extension lug 23 adapted which become apparent as the description progresses. The 110' the up I the V-sha to contact with the rear face of the transverse base plate 16.

As has been previously intimated, the angular Eiojections of the securin member extend t on h the openings ormed in the transverse ack plate 11 and the member is arranged so as to be adjustable relative to formed in the flangesso as to contact-with the fence. This rod is secure y e in position in I en ment with the fence by means of a nut edly mounted on the screw threaded end of r arm of the fastening rod and to bear against the back plate of the P I In use, the are first firmly driven mto'the groun atmpsredetermm' ed intervals and the fastening r 21 held in an outward angular position disenga from the posts to permit the fence stran s to be inserted in notches formed in the at fter the fence wires have n inserted in their proper notches the fastenadap ,in'g rod 21 is moved in an angular are intoengagement with the insertin the upper horizontal arm of the rod throu the u pero The nut 2& is then rmly tfi read upon the arm 22 until the proper tension has been acquired and the fence 1 be thus securely retained in position. It is to be particularly'noted that my im .angularly proved device has been designed with the intention of providing a durable et simple post which may be placed upon t e market at a reasonable cost, yet will withstand the severe usage to which devices of this charac ter are subjected. The device possesses many advantages over the well known types of posts new in common use, as the construction will readily permit the device to be elected with facility and will permit the fence wires to be conveniently assembled or disasembled. 7

It is to be understood that the form of my invention shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, and that various changes as to the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorte to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim. 3

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A fence post structure comprising a channel shaped body rovided at the edges of its side flanges wit notches, the said body being provided at its back plate and in the vicinity of its opposite ends with apertures, plates intersecting at right angles adapted to be anchored in the earth and against which the body may bear adjacent the point of intersection of the said plates, and a fastening rod having angularly disposed end portions passing through the said apertures, a tightening nut screwed upon one of the disposed end portions of the rod and the other end portion of the rod having an offset extremity engageable over the edge portion of one of the anchoring plates In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my signature.

' HOWARD L THOMAS. 

